If you grew up dreaming about owning a Mustang—or maybe you had one in your younger days—there’s no better way to relive those memories than getting behind the wheel of a classic. Whether it’s a weekend cruiser or the car you’ve always wanted, your Mustang is more than just a vehicle—it’s a piece of automotive history. Some enthusiasts believe that there’s nothing to change or improve about those early cars and it’s hard to disagree, especially true if your Mustang passion is for period-correct restoration. Other owners like the idea of personalizing their Sunday driver and maybe making a few modern upgrades along the way. If your idea of the perfect Mustang includes a few special touches, we have a selection of suggestions for you, ranging from mild to wild. 

Step One: Make Sure Your Mustang is Road-Ready 

There are many stories in the classic Mustang-customization city, but all the happy ones begin with bringing your car up to spec in a couple basic areas. Before diving into your vintage Mustang upgrades, make sure you have a solid foundation. No one wants to spend a Saturday wrenching only to discover hidden rust eating away at the floor pan. If you’ve ever had a project stall out due to unforeseen rust repairs, you know the importance of checking these problem areas first. A little prevention now saves a lot of headaches down the road. 

Once that’s handled, it’s worth making sure that your brakes, suspension, and steering systems are also rust-free and in good repair. Pay particular attention to brake lines; they might be tucked out of sight under the car, but they shouldn’t be out of mind!  

Every Mustang ever built has had a 12-volt electrical system, which is great news. Just make sure yours is functioning properly. If you’re planning on adding audio or lighting to your car, make sure your battery and alternator are up to snuff. An upgrade may be necessary, but as you’ll see below, it’s a straightforward process.  

If you’ve ensured your Mustang’s safety and reliability, then it’s time to enjoy the ride!  

Brighten Up: Modern Lighting for Classic Mustangs 

If you’ve ever been caught driving your Mustang home from a late-night car show, you know how dim those original headlights can be. Upgrading to Mustang LED lighting isn’t just about style—it’s about safety. Whether you’re cruising solo or taking the family for a Sunday drive, brighter lights mean better visibility and peace of mind. Just as importantly, they can significantly increase your ability to see and be seen after dark. The real question is: how crazy do you want to get?  

The 7” sealed beams on early Mustangs aren’t Ford-specific therefore you can choose any of the many, LED drop-in replacements out there. The basic level uses a very similar-looking, and similar-sized, bucket headlight with an LED element in place of the halogen bulb. These last a long time, put out a lot of light, and look almost identical to stock during the day. Installation is simple, with most variants being a simple plug-and-swap. At most, you’ll need to zip-tie the LED “ballast” somewhere in the immediate vicinity of the headlight bucket. LED lights draw less power than conventional bulbs, so if your electrical system is healthy there shouldn’t be any increased strain on the battery or alternator. 

Looking for more excitement when you switch on the lights? Consider one of the modern “halo” LED options, which feature circular running lights in the main bucket. It’s a sleek “pro-touring” look, and it will make your Mustang stand out at twilight cruise-ins. If you want to change things up even more, some “halo” lights also have integrated turn signals, which is a unique look. Expect to do a little bit of rewiring for the halo and turn signals, as they use the signal that would normally go to your front blinkers, but it’s within the capacity of even an occasional hobbyist.  

The same goes for the rear back of the car, with options ranging from simple plug-in replacements to sequential, fast-blink, and multi-color options. Unlike the headlights, these taillights are Mustang-specific so it’s worth to buy them from a vendor that specializes in first-generation cars. Brighter taillights will go a long way towards keeping you from getting bumped in traffic. That ultra-sequential look, which connects classic and modern Mustangs? That’s just a bonus.  

Under hood lights, trunk lights, and dash lights all have modern LED replacements which draw more power than the original bulbs and lasting much longer. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try a complete interior mood-lighting kit? Ford began offering ambient lighting as factory equipment in the S197 Mustangs starting in 2007, and aftermarket versions offer even more color options and effects. They’re a great way to turn heads at a diner or gathering after dark.

Pro-Touring Mods: Bringing the 21^st Century Performance to a 1960s Legend

The term “Pro-touring” comes up frequently throughout this article, because this popular trend focuses on achieving modern performance standards with vintage cars. It has inspired a lot of great ideas for customization and modification. You don’t need to adopt the whole look, of course. Why not pick and choose? 

Let’s face it—those stock wheels might have been fine in the ’60s, but today, they look more like training wheels compared to modern performance setups. Swapping in a set of 17-inch wheels not only enhances the look but also improves grip, handling, and ride quality. It’s like upgrading from old-school Converse sneakers to high-performance running shoes—you’ll feel the difference immediately. Most factory models, came with 13” or 14” wheels, which can look undersized nowadays. Even the optional 15” handling package for V-8 cars doesn’t stand out in a world of 20” and larger wheels on everyday sedans. While a current-generation Mustang wheel and tire package won’t fit on a ‘65 Mustang without a Sawzall, it is possible to get a modern look that’s still in proportion with classic styling. 

One popular option is the modern American Racing Torq-Thrust in 17×7 up front and 17×8 in back, which allows you to run 50-series tires and keep the same overall wheel diameter.   Want the showroom-vintage look at a modern diameter? Look at Legendary Wheels, which makes picture-perfect replicas of early Ford wheels that just happen to be a lot bigger and wider.  

Upgrading to 17-inch wheels gives you access to a great variety of modern tires that offer better longevity, foul-weather performance, and dry grip than their vintage counterparts. However, keep in mind these grippier options can put more stress on your suspension. 

And speaking of suspension… if you’re upgrading to modern wheels, why not improve the suspension a bit? The first port of call for early-Mustang owners looking to make their cars handle better is the Shelby/Arning drop. This modification can be done for free, if you have the tools and the time. The suspension points are relocated an inch down. This improves the handling by relocating the car’s center of gravity and changing the “camber curve” of how the tires meet the road at different points in suspension travel. It also visibly lowers the car.

Several companies, Global West being perhaps the most popular, offer complete suspension kits for first-generation Mustangs. It’s your decision whether to choose one optimized for daily driving, parking-lot stance, or even racetrack performance. While it’s possible to assemble your own suspension kit from the many vendor options available, most drivers will be happier if they choose something that’s already designed to work together and deliver a specific result.  

If your Mustang is handling better, you might want to improve how it stops as well. CJ Pony Parts and other vendors offer kits to convert your car to four-wheel disc braking, most early Mustangs didn’t have from the factory with the additional option of Porsche-style four-piston fixed front calipers, which no early Mustangs had from the factory. (Or, indeed, until after the turn of the century.) As with the suspension kits, it’s hard to argue against buying the whole setup at once. Let’s not forget the curb appeal of modern calipers behind 17” wheels. Expect a few admiring comments from modern performance-car enthusiasts as well.  

Modern Tech Upgrades for Your Classic Mustang: Audio, Gauges, and Comfort Mods 

You probably know that the aftermarket has everything you need to perfectly restore an early Mustang to showroom-perfect condition – but that’s not your only option. Whether it’s the Rockford Fosgate kit that replaces the factory radio with a boomin’ multi-speaker sound system that still looks nearly stock or Summit Racing’s sport seat combo that puts a very modern-looking, and comfortable set of high-back bucket seats into a vintage car, there are plenty of ways to bring modern convenience, comfort, and features to the original Mustang. There’s almost no limit to what’s possible. Want a complete set of LED gauges that drop right in to where the original dash cluster sat? Intellitronix makes it. Or maybe you’d rather have analog-looking gauges with computer accuracy. Dakota Digital makes that. In most cases, installation is well within the ability of a patient hobbyist.  

Small Details, Big Impact: Custom Accessories to Elevate Your Classic Mustang 

Small details can make a big difference in curb appeal, and in the past decade there’s been a significant increase in the number of companies that make boutique-feeling odds and ends for the early Mustang. Ringbrothers has made a name for themselves doing billet door handles, trunk hinges, and window cranks, that bolt directly in place of the factory items and are sure to start an envious conversation. Other pieces that work well in billet aluminum: taillight frames, grilles, shift knobs, hood pins, hood hinges, and even the Mustang emblem itself!  

If you put all of the above together, your Mustang won’t be eligible for a 99-point restoration award, but it will certainly stand out everywhere you go. The increased safety, handling, capability, comfort, and usability? Just the icing on the cake. It’s true that Ford got pretty much everything right when the Mustang appeared in showrooms for the first time, but it’s also true that, as with everything in life, there’s always room for a little improvement. After putting time, money, and passion into making your Mustang truly yours, the last thing you want is to worry about what-ifs. Whether you’re heading to a weekend car show, taking a scenic drive, or just showing your kids, what real muscle cars are all about, make sure your investment is protected. Get a quote from American Collectors Insurance today and enjoy the ride with peace of mind.